Best Of
Re: What Happens When Societies Stop Worshipping God?
@Jason, I really appreciate the insight. Capitalism is the macro version of everything that Buddhism guides people away from. It's craving and clinging on a worldwide scale. It's doomed to fail eventually, because all physical resources are finite, medicine's keeping old folks alive longer, and people happen to really enjoy making babies.
ScottPen
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
I think the main problem is most people become reactive beacons rather than critical and compassionate fellow beings.
The media feeds you excessive sensationalism and horror for their own benefit (clicks, reactions, viralisation) instead of thought and articulated conversation like I see here.
Strong points are made, opinions are contrasted, experiences collide; but keeping a good and fluent conversation, utilising logic, compassion, and explaining one's point rather than demanding one's point to be perfect and right...and...most importantly...both sides willing to discuss openly rather than resorting to the "you are with me or against me mentality."
Kotishka
Re: The Other Elephant In The Room
As I've mentioned before, it saddens me that attacks are on the rise again, affecting both Jews and Muslims. Unfortunately, this was expected given the ongoing tensions. The actions of the Israeli government, led by Netanyahu, have contributed to the escalation,
It is crucial to raise awareness about alleged war crimes committed by the current Israeli government and the IDF against innocent men, women, and children. Silence in such situations can be perceived as complicity with the atrocities. Speaking out against government actions doesn't imply a stance against any specific group of people.
In situations where people oppose government policies, there are diverse views, and some may be extreme . This is a common aspect of democracies, where differing opinions exist.
For many years, the narrative has often focused on "Palestinian Muslim terrorists" and crimes against Israeli citizens, overshadowing the actions of the Israeli military in Palestinian territories. It's important to consider the complexities of the situation, including Israeli military activities and actions of Israeli settlers.
Recent events have shifted public opinion, with increasing awareness of Palestinian civilian casualties and evidence disputing some IDF claims. Independent sources, including reputable Israeli newspapers and eyewitness accounts, have provided alternative perspectives.
It is essential to differentiate between opposition to the Israeli government and its policies and anti-Semitism. Many individuals in the West who criticize Israel's occupation of Palestinian land are not motivated by anti-Semitic sentiments. Concerns for the safety of Jewish friends and family are valid, acknowledging that those in Western countries generally have state protection, unlike the Palestinian people in Palestine.
In times of conflict, the truth often becomes blurred, and extremists on both sides contribute to propaganda that fuels violence.
Shoshin1
Re: Ozempic
@IdleChater, respectfully, I think that the biggest difference is 2500 years. My understanding is that the mind isn't 1 thing, just like the self isn't 1 thing. The mind is the concept which humans use to describe our experience of having a brain which is capable of metacognition, aka thinking about thought.
There are a few different methods of detecting and identifying neurotransmitters in the brain, the names of which methods I can read and pronounce but mostly not explain. Neuroscientists have tested the timing relationship between the emergence, duration, and dissipation of these chemicals, and the awareness of the "minds" which experience their effects. As a matter of fact, literally everything that happens in the brain does so before we become aware.
ScottPen
Re: Space - the final frontier
Looks like a face in the background, just above to the right ...nose brow and forehead ....
Shoshin1
Re: Selflessness and Altruism
@IdleChater - I think I wasn't asking the right question. I was looking for descriptions of the characteristics of a Buddha or an arahat. A person who has reached enlightenment.
Some say that the most helpful way that the characteristics of enlightenment can be described is simply as ignorance's absence.
This is to avoid the ego/identity's tendency to relate to it as something possessable when its actual manifestation depends upon the very deconstruction of that which would try to possess it.
Perhaps renunciation, over acquisition, might better provide the answers that you seek.
how
Re: Pratyekabuddhas, enlightenment and entheogens
I have heard of a frog turning into a prince when kissed by a princess, but not a person becoming enlighten from smoking a toad's venom...
Shoshin1
Re: Selflessness and Altruism
@ScottPen said:
Straight answers really are hard to come by sometimes.
Y' think?
My response was pretty awesome. If you want to know more about what the Buddha said about himself, you'll have to crack a book, I'm afraid. There is no "The World-Honored One Talks About Himself Sutra".
It's an unusual question you ask. What the Buddha thought of himself, isn't high on most folks Dharma Bucket List. But WTF!! If it's important, find an answer.
Jeeez..... the more I think about this, the more interesting it becomes. Not so interesting that I'll undertake more research, though. Nope. I'm 70, and I don't have to do research anymore.
@ScottPen
Dude!
Figure this out, man! Find out what the Buddha thought of himself and then report back, with your findings. You can do this.
